[Steve Shauger]

Hi Jack,

I recommend downloading our mission statement which also incorporates our rules and guidelines, with examples. The one mistake many hobbyist make is to wanting to clean the dirt and grime that has built up over the years. Sounds like a good idea, but if not done correctly can destroy many original markings, stampings, paint dabs, stickers and finishes. We recommend that you take a cautious approach and only use mild detergents. In fact there rarely is even a minor deduction for dirt. 90% of your score comes from originality and 10% is preservation (cleanliness falls under preservation). If you have specific questions let me know and I will try to address them.